SERVICE DELIVERY
Research indicates the most effective efforts towards the prevention of alcohol and drug
use among children, youth and families involves entire communities. Targeting just the
‘drug user’ will not necessarily result in significant changes; parents, local businesses
and the media need to also be active partners in any community response. AADAC, a
key partner with the St. Albert Community Drug Response Committee provides
extensive research literature indicating key starting points in the delivery of programs
and services, as well as key transition points in the lives of children and youth.
With this knowledge we can incorporate education, prevention and treatment services
that build on protective factors within children and youth. These services are not meant
to replace the great work already happening in our schools and throughout community
organizations, but will provide enhanced resources and materials to augment existing
programs.
The following programs and services are a coordinated effort of the many service
providers from within St. Albert. From educational programs delivered by our youth, to a
community wide “Drug Endangered Children” protocol, to specialized treatment services,
together we are all working towards a common goal, to ensure a successful response
towards the prevention of substance use and or abuse.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
EDUCATION
EXPECTING RESPECT - A PEER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Expecting Respect is an innovative program based on the principle that peer education
is an effective strategy to deliver messages that encourage healthy decision-making in
youth. Research indicates that interactive peer education is an effective tool in
promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors.
Students
Presents peer educators as role models and credible source of information.
Increases awareness, leading to healthy decision-making.
Offers lesson plan topics based on issues relevant to students.
Senior High Topics
Sexual health and reducing your risks.
Sexual health and decision-making.
Harassment.
Healthy relationships.
Tobacco and social justices.
Decision-making.
Sexual decisions.
Substance use/misuse.
Junior High Topics
Healthy relationships.
Bullying.
Media.
Tobacco.
Drugs, alcohol and gambling.
Teachers and Schools
Provides an alternative learning strategy.
Ties into many curricula – science, English, phys-ed, health, CALM, religion and
more.
Strengthens school climate and community connections.
Expecting Respect Will Provide Youth School With
Peer educator training.
School coordinator training.
Program resources and materials (manuals/videos).
On-going support.
Peer Educators
Develop leadership and presentation skills.
Provide community service, work experience and course credit opportunities.
Build confidence and self-esteem.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
HEALTH HYPE
“Health Hype” is a school newsletter insert from School Health Nurses designed to
provide useful health tips to parents. A series of six articles was created to enhance
parents understanding of the factors that influence substance abuse prevention. These
will be distributed to all schools to be included in their school newsletters.
RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION
Most children grow up healthy and confident, and avoid using drugs, alcohol and
tobacco. Several factors have been identified that separate those children and youth
that use drugs from those who do not. “Risk factors”, such as living in a chaotic home
environment, appear to make drug abuse more likely. “Protective factors” appear to
reduce the risk of substance abuse. Protective factors include those things that help
children and youth cope more effectively with risk factors and stressful life events. This
ability to “bounce back” is called resilience”.
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Strong family bonds, or a positive bond with at least one other caring adult.
Parental supervision of children’s activities and their choice of friends.
Good social skills.
Clear, consistently enforced rules of behavior.
Success in school.
Participation in positive social activities.
Studies have shown that children at risk who have even one protective factor are less
likely to become involved with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
BOUNCING BACK: ENCOURAGING RESILIENCE IN YOUR CHILD
“Resiliency” is a hot concept in mental health research these days. It assumes that
everyone has abilities that can help one survive and even thrive in stressful situations. It
is the ability to “bounce back” from misfortune or change, and it is related to decreased
potential for substance abuse.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESILIENT CHILDREN
They have social skills.
They have good problem solving skills.
They demonstrate independence (autonomy).
They have a clear sense of purpose and direction.
HOW CAN PARENTS NURTURE RESILIENCE IN THEIR CHILDREN?
Be aware of key milestones and transitions in your child’s life, such as entering or
changing schools, or changing or losing friends. Be available and supportive at
these times.
Listen to your child. They should always know that you are there for them.
Allow your child to solve some of his or her own problems. Let them see you
struggle with and solve your own problems, and model when it is time to seek help
with your problem.
Let kids know how capable they are. Everyone needs a cheering section!
Encourage them to ask for help when necessary.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
MODELING A HEALTHY ATTITUDE TOWARD ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
Parents have a very important role in preventing their children from becoming involved
with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. There are several simple ways to give your
children the right kinds of messages about substance abuse. Here are some things you
can do:
Carefully examine your own alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Your behaviors have a
very big influence on your children! Talk with your children about why you have
chosen to use or not use certain substances, and in what circumstances.
Talk with your kids, at an age appropriate level about substance use. You can raise
the topic while watching television or while involved in a family activity. Help your
children make sense out of conflicting messages. You do not have to be an expert
to talk to your child about these issues!
Teach your child that medication is not always necessary for minor physical
complaints. Lying down is often as effective as a pain medication for a mild
headache.
How you respond to “Can I have a taste of your drink?” really depends on you and
your beliefs. Unless allowing children to drink is part of your cultural background, it is
probably best to say “no”.
Learn what you can about alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Your children will be more
likely to ask you for advice.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
HOW TO ACTIVELY LISTEN TO YOUR CHILD
It can be tough to talk with your kids, especially about sensitive topics like drug, alcohol,
and tobacco use, and it can be hard to listen to them, especially when you don’t like
what they are saying!! However, if you are open, honest and easy to talk with, you will
build a stronger relationship with your children. This process works in two ways:
hearing what your children are saying, and sharing your own thoughts and feelings with
them.
HOW TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR KIDS
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a one-word answer.
Repeat what your child has shared with you, or say it back in your own words. This
will ensure that you have understood what was said.
Affirm your child’s feelings. This will make your child feel supported.
Summarize what you’ve heard. This shows your child that you have been listening.
Choose a time to talk that is free of distractions, and ensure privacy. For example, a
good time to talk may be while driving your child to an activity.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE
We all want to ensure that our children stay away from alcohol, drugs and tobacco, but
talking with your child about these topics can be challenging! You may not know where
to start, or you may feel unsure about your subject. Here are some guidelines for
parents to use to help protect their children from substance abuse:
The most important thing you can do is to communicate with and listen to your child.
Educate yourself on the facts about drugs and alcohol. Try logging on to
www.aadac.com for accurate information. Scare tactics do not work with kids!
Use examples from the media to talk about alcohol, drugs and decision making.
Have a disciplinary style that is fair with clear, consistently enforced guidelines for
behavior. Kids with problems often come from families where discipline is either very
strict or permissive.
Demonstrate responsible decision-making in your own use of alcohol, tobacco and
drugs.
Help your children feel good about themselves by recognizing their efforts.
Encourage participation in a variety of activities.
Let your child know it is natural to have problems and make mistakes.
Talk with your child about how you made difficult decisions in the past. Discuss
whether or not you would make the same decision today, and why.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL: SAYING NO AND STAYING COOL
As children get older, their friends become increasingly important, and parents may feel
that their own influence is decreasing. Still, as a parent, you have a significant role in
helping your kids learn the skills they need to resist negative peer pressure and to
remain popular.
Kids need to know in simple, immediate terms why smoking, drinking, and experimenting
with drugs is inappropriate and sometimes dangerous. Here are some tips for
discussion with your kids:
Emphasizing immediate consequences is more effective than discussing issues that
children and youth perceive as happening only to “old people”, such as lung cancer.
You could instead describe how smoking turns your teeth turn yellow, and makes
your breath, hair and clothes smell bad.
Illegal drugs are usually mixed with other, possibly very dangerous chemicals and
other drugs. You don’t know exactly what you are getting.
Drug use can interfere with physical and emotional development in young people.
Help your children understand that their true friends will respect their decisions, and
that “friends” who do not, are not really the sort of friends they want.
Rehearse with them as many ways of saying “NO” as possible.
Reassure them that doing the right thing is a mark of maturity, and a sure sign that
they are growing up.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
PREVENTION
AADAC School Strategy –
Model For The Prevention of Addictions Through Education and Early Intervention
The AADAC School Strategy is a model for how AADAC will work with others to provide
more effective prevention and early intervention school-based programs across Alberta.
Research shows that strength-based comprehensive and long-term programs are the
most effective. Young people are least likely to abuse alcohol, other drugs and gambling
when prevention programs are provided throughout their school years.
The AADAC School Strategy has seven goals to guide service in schools:
Helping Alberta students develop a practical understanding of issues related to
alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling.
Encouraging a commitment to healthy lifestyles and the avoidance of substance
related problems and addiction (including tobacco and gambling).
Helping students develop specific skills that allow them to evaluate and avoid
situations of risk.
Helping educators, parents and other key adults enhance protective factors and
resilience.
Helping schools respond constructively to risk factors including addiction in the
home.
Providing early intervention and harm reduction for high-risk students.
Providing access to smoking cessation and treatment for alcohol, drug and
gambling problems.
AADAC’s School Strategy emphasizes creative ways to work together to deliver effective
and comprehensive programs in schools. Program elements that can be used
consistently across the province will benefit youth. Resources based on best practice
will shape our school-based programs. Together we can better meet the needs of
students and set the stage for an addiction-free future for Alberta’s students.
RCMP St. Albert Detachment and K-Division Drug Endangered Children Program
St. Albert has been identified by the RCMP as a desirable location to pilot a “Drug
Endangered Children” Program. The program is intended to enhance community
education, mobilization and preparedness related to children and crystalmethamphetamine, as well as children found in drug-crime scenes (Marijuana growhouses, clandestine labs and crack-houses).
The “Drug Endangered Children” Program has been developed by the RCMP through
best practice research and on-site observation with other North American police and
drug enforcement agencies. The Program’s intent is to educate first responders (Police,
Fire, Ambulance and Emergency Room staff), key community resources (support
agencies, schools/educators, elected officials) and the public overall regarding the
warning signs, risks and implications of crystal-meth in the community. In addition to this
educational component, various tools and information will be provided to take the
program beyond simple visibility to actually enhancing the coordinated mobilization of
the community against this emerging problem and fostering partnerships between police,
first responders, community organizations and citizens in addressing this issue.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE
Crystal-Methamphetamine – An Addiction Story
Starting in May 2004, and carrying on through the 2004/2005 school year, presentations
will be made to Junior and Senior High school students and parents by a recovering teen
addict who will share her story in the hopes of helping youth to make better decisions
about drug use and to help parents recognize the signs that lead to drug use among
teens.
Crystal-Methamphetamine Information Session For Retailers and Pharmacists
Crystal-meth manufacturing in on the rise using common household items sold in retail
stores.
Throughout 2004 and 2005, Members from the RCMP K-Division Clandestine Lab will
host presentations to St. Albert retailers and pharmacists to explore how, as a
community, we can regulate and monitor the purchase of common household items
used to make crystal-meth.
TREATMENT
AADAC is committed to providing a range of treatment services to youth including
information, prevention, early intervention, outpatient counseling and treatment services.
Community partnerships are key to AADAC’s efforts to contribute to the optimal
development of youth in St. Albert.
As well, AADAC has been instrumental in assisting the St. Albert Community Drug
Response Committee establish the Expecting Respect Program, the AADAC School
Strategy and is currently working on developing the AADAC Information Series and a
youth treatment group specifically for the needs of the St. Albert community.
Through education, the ‘AADAC Information Series’ sessions provide a non-judgmental
opportunity for youth to self-evaluate the effects of alcohol and other drugs on their lives.
The program is designed to invite young people, who may be having problems because
of substance use, to actively contemplate their own situation and to consider some
choices. In particular, the objectives are to provide teens with an opportunity to:
Increase awareness of the positive and negative effects of using alcohol and
other drugs.
Evaluate personal consequences of substance abuse.
Examine choices that are available in relation to their alcohol and other drug use.
Learn about resources available (self-help, student assistance, peer support,
treatment options).
Increase awareness of the process of change.
CREATED BY ST. ALBERT COMMUNITY DRUG RESPONSE COMMITTEE